Gradspot. com's Guide to Life after College (2010 Edition)

by Chris Schonberger; Stuart Schultz; Tory Hoen

• ISBN13: 9780984178032
• ISBN10: 0984178031
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-01
• Publisher: Manhattan Prep Publishing

Summary

Whether you're searching for your first job or apartment, navigating the treacherous waters of office politics, or just trying to figure out how to file your tax return, Gradspot.com's Guide to Life After College tackles the most common issues facing twentysomethings as they find their feet in the "real world." Authors Chris Schonberger, Stuart Schultz and Tory Hoen (twentysomethings themselves) have been through it all before, and they maintain a sense of humor about their triumphs and missteps along the way. In addition to sharing their own experiences and anecdotes, they have polled hundreds of recent grads and consulted topic experts to give readers the information they need, to find their feet beyond campus. Packed with indispensable tips, candid advice, and humorous dispatches from early adulthood, this easy-to-use guide has everything you need to know but didn't learn in college! Topics include: Finding an Apt, Job Hunting, Healthcare, Credit, Top Recent Grad Cities, Cars, Student Debt, Saving & Investing, Office Etiquette, Networking, Dating, Travel, Cooking, Moving Home, The "One-Year Rut", 401(k)s, and more.

Table of Contents

Start Here	p. 13
Why We Wrote This Book	p. 13
How to Use This Book	p. 13
Authors Foreword	p. 15
Holy $*%#, I Just Graduated!	p. 21
Ten Things to Do After Graduation	p. 22
Moving Home	p. 23
Five Ways to Start Making Money Today	p. 27
How to Create Your Website in a Few Easy Steps	p. 37
Temp Work	p. 38
For the Lazy and Crazy: eBay Sales, Mystery Shopping, and More	p. 43
The Traveling Grad	p. 46
The Post-College Gap Year	p. 56
Confessions of an Undercover Adventurer, by Tory Hoen	p. 57
Ways to Travel Abroad for Free	p. 59
Top Five Movies for Recent Grads	p. 63
Housing	p. 69
Choosing a Post-Grad City	p. 69
Assessing Your Housing Needs: Cost, Neighborhood, and Space	p. 73
Top Five Tips for Moving With and Without a Mover	p. 75
Types of Housing	p. 81
Confessions of a Nomad: The Modern-Day Odysseus, by Gritz	p. 82
Attacking the Market: D.I.Y. vs. Working with a Broker	p. 86
Decoding Ad Speak in Real Estate Listings	p. 88
Final Steps: Applying and Signing the Lease	p. 91
The Negotiator's Toolkit	p. 94
Specifics of Renting a Condo	p. 96
Specifics of Renting a House	p. 98
Subletting	p. 100
Renters Insurance	p. 104
Roommate Living	p. 105
Moving in and Setting Up Your Pad	p. 109
Top Ten Ways to Go Green in Your First Apartment	p. 112
Dealing with Housing Issues	p. 113
Buying a Place	p. 115
Career Options	p. 121
Top Five Things to Do Before You Get a Job	p. 122
Understanding Your Ideal Job Profile	p. 123
Which Industries Are the Safest in a Recession?	p. 126
Top Entry-Level Employers	p. 130
The Wide World of Jobs	p. 133
Changing Industries, Functions, and/or Organizations	p. 134
Researching Career Options, Companies, and Industries	p. 134
Interview: Doing What You Love, with MC Naledge	p. 136
Where to Actually Find a Full-Time Job	p. 137
Government Jobs	p. 141
Non-Profit Jobs	p. 146
Freelancing	p. 151
Internships	p. 156
Grad School	p. 161
Deciding What You Want to Study	p. 162
Finding the Right School	p. 164
Business School, Law School, and Education	p. 165
Studying for the GMAT, LSAT, and GRE	p. 170
Funding Grad School	p. 174
Is It Possible to Balance Full-Time Work with Part-Time Grad School?	p. 176
Getting Hired	p. 181
Cleaning Up Your Online Identity	p. 182
Resume	p. 185
Sample Resume	p. 190
Cover Letter	p. 191
Sample Cover Letter	p. 194
Salary Requirements	p. 194
Emailing Your Job Application	p. 195
References	p. 197
Networking	p. 198
Sample Informational Interview Request	p. 202
Professional Networking Sites: The Anti-Social Solution	p. 205
Interview: LinkedIn Tips for Recent Grads, with Lindsey Pollak	p. 209
Twitter: It's (Not Just About) What's For Breakfast	p. 212
Interviewing	p. 218
Interview Dress	p. 220
Sample Interview Questions	p. 224
Follow-Ups	p. 226
Sample Thank You Note	p. 227
Making a Decision	p. 227
Settling: Should I Take a Job I'm Not 100% Sure About?	p. 227
Interview: To Thine Own Self Be True, with Alan J. Pickman	p. 229
Working Life	p. 233
First Jobs of Famous People	p. 233
Surviving Your First Day	p. 234
School vs. Work: What's the Difference?	p. 238
On Work and Boredom	p. 242
Women in the Workplace, by Hannah Seligson	p. 243
Office Politics	p. 245
Business Speak 101	p. 247
The Importance of Mentors	p. 250
Office Romance	p. 251
Office Dress	p. 254
Internet, Email, and Phone	p. 260
Instant Messenger	p. 263
Interview: Do I Have Imposter Syndrome? with Dr. Valerie Young	p. 265
Business Meal Etiquette	p. 267
Business Travel	p. 269
Corporate Golf: A Crash Course	p. 271
Ten Steps to Take If You Lose Your Job	p. 274
Beyond Your First Job	p. 277
Money	p. 281
Personal Finance Is All About Perspective	p. 282
Know Where You Stand Today	p. 282
Personal Finance Cheat Sheet	p. 282
It All Comes Down to Credit	p. 284
Repaying Your Debt	p. 290
Student Debt	p. 293
Bank Accounts	p. 298
How to Write a Personal Check	p. 302
Automatic Bill Pay	p. 303
Credit Cards	p. 304
A Few Good Credit Cards for Recent Grads	p. 309
Proper Credit Card Maintenance	p. 311
Easy Budgeting: Audit Yourself	p. 316
Top Ten Things Grads Waste Money On	p. 319
Saving & Investing	p. 321
Do I Pay Off Debt or Invest?	p. 324
Investing for Short-Term Purchases	p. 325
Investing for the Medium-Term	p. 325
Investing for Retirement: 401(k)s and IRAs	p. 328
Long-Term Investing: Stocks & Funds	p. 329
Opening a Brokerage/Investment Account	p. 335
Investment Cheat Sheet	p. 337
Building a Financial Management System	p. 338
Taxes	p. 339
Common Tax Forms & Deductions for Recent Grads	p. 34l
Health	p. 347
Why Insurance Is So Important	p. 348
Understanding Health Insurance	p. 349
Deciphering Insurance Lingo	p. 350
Figuring Out What You Need (and Want) from a Health Care Plan	p. 352
Women-Specific Health Care Concerns	p. 356
Getting Health Care on Your Own	p. 357
Short-Term Health Insurance	p. 361
Getting Health Care Through Work	p. 362
Choosing a Doctor	p. 363
Dealing With Your Health Insurance Company	p. 368
Dental Insurance	p. 370
How to Choose a Dentist	p. 371
Bonus: Life Insurance!	p. 373
Cars & Commuting	p. 377
Buying vs. Leasing	p. 378
Choosing a Car	p. 379
Ten Great Cars for Recent Grads, by Eddie Alterman	p. 382
Assessing Used Cars	p. 383
Hitting the Dealership and Making a Deal	p. 385
Signing the Contract	p. 387
Purchasing New and Used Cars with Financing	p. 389
Leasing Cars	p. 389
Car Insurance	p. 392
Mileage Chart: How Much Do You Need for Gas	p. 396
Car Checklist	p. 396
Top Ten Ways to Be a Green Driver	p. 399
Getting Around without a Car	p. 400
The Grad 2.0 Plan	p. 407
Coping with the One-Year Rut	p. 408
Staying Cultured	p. 409
Things to Do	p. 410
Rediscover the Joy of Reading	p. 412
Ways to Use Your Student ID	p. 414
The Reunion Grad	p. 416
D.I.Y. Post-College Education	p. 418
Dating	p. 422
Confessions of a Match.com User, by Arnold T. Pants	p. 425
Breaking Up in the Age of Gchat, by Mary Kathryn Burke	p. 429
Charity	p. 432
The Post-Grad Facebooker	p. 435
Cooking	p. 437
Interview: Mark Bittman's Guide to Post-College Cooking	p. 438
Kitchen 101	p. 440
Learning to Shop and Cook	p. 442
The Under-$50 Pantry	p. 444
Gradspot Recipes	p. 445
Wine Appreciation 101	p. 454
Exploring the World of Beer	p. 460
Epilogue: The Golden Rule of Life After College	p. 469
Further Reading	p. 473
About the Authors	p. 475
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